Chile’s Internal Revenue Service (SII) will shift VAT collection from non‑resident sellers to Chilean financial institutions starting 1 June 2026, imposing a 19 % withholding rate on eligible transactions. The first list of non‑compliant digital VAT taxpayers will be published 15 June 2026, with financial institutions required to file monthly Form 29 and a semiannual report by the last business day of February 2027.

South Africa’s 2026 Budget will focus on whether VAT can keep pace with a digitised economy rather than on rate hikes. A proposed two‑percentage‑point increase was tabled and rejected in 2025, and the Finance Minister confirmed that VAT rate increases for 2025/26 and 2026/27 have been dropped. The Treasury is examining how digital services supplied by foreign providers are taxed and whether the current framework captures modern consumption.

The Ivorian tax authority released the annex to the 2026 Finance Law, introducing several tax changes. Measures include extending a 7.5% withholding tax on non‑commercial profits for certain non‑salaried participants, eliminating VAT exemptions for oil exploration, agriculture, manufacturing and packaging and applying the standard 18% VAT rate, raising the tourism development tax to 2.5% from 1.5%, imposing a tax on foreign digital service platforms without a physical presence, and reducing the property tax to 13% from 15%.

China’s 2026 tax reform will keep domestic service enterprises exempt from VAT and introduce several other incentives. The policy also allows social insurance contributions to be deducted from taxable income, offers preferential corporate income tax rates for eligible firms, and provides personal income tax deductions to spur household demand.

The Chinese Ministry of Finance issued Announcement No. 9/2026 on January 31, 2026, defining the goods and services subject to the 9% VAT rate. The policy lists a wide range of agricultural products, utilities, media, and real estate transactions that will be taxed at this rate.

EY highlights forthcoming changes to Belgian VAT rates, with particular emphasis on the food, entertainment and hospitality sectors. The commentary outlines the sectors that will be most affected but does not provide specific rate adjustments or implementation dates.

Mexico has enacted a tax reform that removes VAT creditability for insurers on direct payments for goods and services used to settle insurance claims. The reform, effective 1 January 2026 and retroactive to the 2025 fiscal year, turns VAT into a non‑recoverable cost, potentially raising premiums by 8‑10% for medical and auto insurance. Insurers must adjust their claim settlement and pricing strategies accordingly.

Latvia's parliament has accepted Bill No. 1206 for consideration, which proposes reducing the VAT rate on firewood and thermal energy for household use from 12% to 5% between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2026. The bill also requires that invoices issued at the 12% rate during that period be corrected by the law’s entry‑into‑force date.

India's GST Council has granted an exemption on individual life and health insurance premiums, removing the 18% GST. The decision, announced in a written reply on 5 February 2026, covers all individual policies including family floater plans. IRDAI confirmed that insurers have passed the benefit to policyholders without raising premiums.